Faceted shape-drive cathode particles using mixed hydroxy-carbonate precursor for mesocarbon microbeads versus LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 Li-ion pouch cell

Abstract Using a mixed hydroxy-carbonate (MHC) precursor, homogeneous LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 phase synthesized through a facile route yielded well dispersed, faceted, edge-blunted polyhedral particles (∼200 nm). These cathode particles revealed high degree of hexagonal ordering favorable for impressive electrochemical performance viz ., high capacity 187 mAh g −1 in Li vs LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 cell, not fortuitously. Rather, can be clearly attributed to edge-blunted cathode particles that may facilitate enhanced charge mobility mimicking a process akin to corona discharge predominantly in charge concentrated regions which contrasts to moderate capacity from spherical particles explainable under the ambit of shape-drive hither to unknown. Li-ion pouch cell (∼500 mAh) fabricated with this activity enhanced cathode quite rugged enough to endure loads (0.12 Wh, 1.1 Wh), as-demonstrated.